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Table of Contents
- 🍽️ A Quick Look at the Recipe
- Why You’ll Love This Recipe
- Key Ingredients
- How to Make Southern-Style Meatloaf
- Pro Tips
- Homemade Meatloaf Recipe
- Make-Ahead, Storage, and Reheating
- What to Serve With Southern-Style Meatloaf
- Variations and Alternate Dinners
- Frequently Asked Questions
- More AB Recipes
- Save This Recipe
This Southern-style meatloaf combines ground beef and mild Italian sausage with onion, bell pepper, garlic, and a sweet-tangy ketchup glaze. The sausage brings extra savory flavor, while breadcrumbs, milk, and eggs help the loaf hold together without turning dry.
Mix it gently, bake until the center reaches 160°F, and give it time to rest before slicing. It is a hearty Sunday dinner that also makes useful leftovers for the next day.
🍽️ A Quick Look at the Recipe
Recipe Name: Southern-Style Meatloaf
⏱️ Ready In: About 1 hour 25 minutes, including resting
👨👩👧👦 Serves: 6
🥣 Main Ingredients: Ground beef, mild Italian sausage, breadcrumbs, eggs, ketchup
📖 Dietary Info: Contains wheat, eggs, and dairy; check sausage and seasoning labels
🔥 Flavor Profile: Savory, gently spiced, and sweet-tangy
⭐ Best For: Sunday dinner, family meals, and leftovers
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
- Beef and mild Italian sausage give the meatloaf a full, savory flavor.
- Onion, peppers, garlic, and parsley keep the flavor varied throughout the loaf.
- The glaze goes on partway through baking so it can set without spending the entire bake in the oven.
- A short rest helps you cut neater slices and keep the juices in the meatloaf.
Key Ingredients
Ground beef and mild Italian sausage: The original recipe uses 80/20 beef alongside sausage. Keep that combination for the closest result; very lean meat changes the texture and moisture.
Onion, bell peppers, and garlic: Dice the vegetables finely so they distribute through the loaf and soften during baking. Large chunks can leave gaps and make the slices less tidy.
Panko or crushed crackers: These absorb moisture and help bind the mixture. The card allows either option; if using crackers, consider their salt content before adjusting the finished meal.
Milk and eggs: Milk moistens the crumbs, and eggs help the loaf set. Keep the recipe’s balance instead of adding extra breadcrumbs just because the raw mixture feels soft.
Creole Kick or Cajun seasoning, paprika, and parsley: These bring the Southern-style flavor. Preserve the seasoning choice and amounts in the card; sausage and seasoning blends already contribute salt.
Ketchup glaze: Ketchup, brown sugar, vinegar, garlic powder, onion powder, salt, and pepper create the sweet-tangy coating. Mix it separately and brush it on after the first part of the bake.
Useful Tools
Use a meatloaf pan or form the loaf on a rimmed baking sheet, as the original recipe allows. A rimmed pan catches drippings; a large mixing bowl lets you combine the ingredients without squeezing them together too tightly.
The first three tools below are from my shop. I earn commissions from qualifying purchases made through the Amazon links in this post. As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.
- Chef Knife: Finely dice the onion and peppers, then use a clean knife to slice the rested loaf.
- SnG Food Thermometer: Check the center of the meatloaf for 160°F rather than relying on the color of the glaze.
- High Heat Resistant Silicone Basting Brush: Spread the glaze evenly over the partially baked loaf.
- Spring Chef Measuring Cups and Spoons (paid link): Measure the breadcrumbs, milk, seasonings, and glaze ingredients from the card.
- Pyrex Glass Mixing Bowls (paid link): Keep the raw meat mixture and glaze in separate bowls while you prep.
How to Make Southern-Style Meatloaf
1. Heat the oven and prep the vegetables
Preheat to 375°F. Finely dice the onion and bell peppers, mince the garlic, and chop the parsley so everything is ready before you handle the meat.
2. Mix gently
Combine the ground beef, sausage, onion, peppers, eggs, garlic, ketchup, parsley, panko or crackers, milk, and meatloaf seasonings in a large bowl. Mix just until the ingredients are evenly distributed; avoid kneading or compressing the mixture.
3. Shape the loaf
Transfer the mixture to a meatloaf pan or form it into a loaf on a rimmed baking sheet. Keep the shape even so the center and ends cook at a similar pace. Wash hands, utensils, and work surfaces after handling the raw meat.
4. Make the glaze and begin baking
In a separate bowl, stir together the glaze ingredients. Bake the meatloaf uncovered for 40 minutes before adding the glaze.
5. Glaze and finish cooking
Carefully remove the pan, brush the glaze over the top, and return it to the oven for another 15–20 minutes. Check the thickest part of the loaf for at least 160°F. If it has not reached that temperature, keep baking and check again.
6. Rest before slicing
Let the finished meatloaf rest for 10 minutes. Transfer or lift it carefully, then slice with a clean knife and serve. The rest gives the loaf time to firm up so the slices hold together better.
Pro Tips
- Dice the onion and peppers finely so they soften evenly and do not create large gaps in the loaf.
- Mix only until combined; compacting the meat mixture can make the finished loaf dense.
- Use a thermometer to reach 160°F, then rest for 10 minutes before slicing.
Summarize and Save
Homemade Meatloaf
Ingredients
- Meatloaf:
- 1 lbs ground beef 80/20
- 1 lb Italian mild sausage
- 1 medium onion finely diced
- 1/2 red bell pepper diced
- 1/2 green bell pepper diced
- 2 eggs
- 3 garlic cloves minced
- 3 tbsp ketchup
- 3 tbsp fresh parsley chopped
- 3/4 cup panko breadcrumbs or crushed crackers
- 1/3 cup milk
- 1 ½ tsp salt
- 1 ½ tsp Creole Kick or Cajun seasoning
- 1/2 tsp black pepper
- 1/2 tsp paprika
- Glaze:
- 3/4 cup ketchup
- 1 ½ tsp white vinegar
- 2 ½ tbsp brown sugar
- 1 tsp garlic powder
- 1/2 tsp onion powder
- 1/2 tsp black pepper
- 1/2 tsp salt
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 375°F.
- In a large bowl, combine all meatloaf ingredients. Mix until just combined — don’t overmix.
- Press mixture into a meatloaf pan or form into a loaf on a baking sheet.
- In a separate bowl, mix together all glaze ingredients.
- Bake meatloaf uncovered for 40 minutes.
- Remove from oven, brush glaze generously on top.
- Return to oven and bake for 15–20 more minutes, or until internal temperature reaches 160°F.
- Let rest for 10 minutes before slicing. Serve and enjoy.
Notes
- Mix the meat just until the ingredients come together; overworking it makes a denser loaf.
- Check the center with a thermometer and cook to 160°F rather than relying on color.
- Rest the loaf for 10 minutes before slicing so it holds together.
Nutrition
Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.
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Make-Ahead, Storage, and Reheating
Dice the vegetables and mix the glaze ahead, then refrigerate them separately. If assembling the raw loaf ahead, keep it covered at 40°F or below and cook within 1–2 days, following any earlier use-by date on the meat.
Refrigerate cooked meatloaf in shallow containers within 2 hours, or within 1 hour if the surrounding temperature is above 90°F. Use cooked leftovers within 3–4 days.
Reheat slices covered in a 325°F oven until they reach 165°F. Add a splash of broth or water to the dish if needed to keep the edges from drying. The microwave works for individual slices; turn or rearrange them so they heat evenly.
Freeze cooled portions in airtight wrapping for longer storage. Thaw in the refrigerator and reheat thoroughly. Slicing before freezing makes it easier to warm only what you need.
What to Serve With Southern-Style Meatloaf
Pair the savory loaf with a vegetable and a comforting side. These recipes give you options for a weeknight plate or a bigger Sunday spread.
- Honey Balsamic Brussels Sprouts: browned vegetables with a sweet-tangy finish.
- Green Beans and Bacon: a savory green vegetable side.
- Southern Collard Greens with Turkey Legs: smoky greens for a Southern-style dinner.
- Southern Baked Mac and Cheese: a creamy side for a comfort-food plate.
- Southern Cornbread: savory wedges to round out the meal.
- Soft and Fluffy Dinner Rolls: a soft bread option for the table.
Variations and Alternate Dinners
The source already allows crushed crackers instead of panko and Cajun seasoning instead of Creole Kick. Keep the listed amounts and be mindful of differences in salt between brands.
For a different comfort-food dinner, follow one of these separate recipes rather than changing this loaf’s meat and binder balance:
- Southern Smothered Meatballs and Rice: another ground-meat dinner with a saucy finish.
- Smothered Cube Steak with Onion Gravy: a beef-and-gravy supper.
- Soulful Smothered Pork Chops: a pork-centered comfort meal.
- Southern Style Smothered Chicken: a chicken dinner for another night.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why use both beef and sausage?
The beef gives the loaf its familiar flavor, while mild Italian sausage adds seasoning and richness. Replacing either with very lean meat changes the original balance.
Can I tell it is done from the color?
No. Check the center with a food thermometer. This beef-and-pork mixture needs to reach at least 160°F, regardless of how brown the outside looks.
Why does meatloaf sometimes fall apart?
The binders need to be evenly mixed, the loaf needs to cook through, and it needs its resting time. Cutting immediately out of the oven can break apart a loaf that would slice more cleanly after resting.
Is a loaf pan required?
No. The original method allows a meatloaf pan or a loaf formed on a baking sheet. Use a rimmed sheet to contain drippings and keep the thickness reasonably even.
More AB Recipes
More Comfort-Food Dinner Ideas
- Dirty Cabbage: cabbage with a savory beef-and-sausage base.
- Dirty Smothered Potatoes: a loaded skillet of potatoes, sausage, and ground meat.
- Shrimp and Sausage Rice Skillet: a seafood-and-sausage option for your next dinner.
- Ultimate Baked Mac and Cheese: another baked macaroni recipe for a gathering.
- Sweet Potato Casserole with Butter Pecan Crumble: a sweeter side for a holiday-style spread.
- Cornbread Dressing with Roasted Chicken and Andouille: a hearty dressing for a larger meal.
Finish With Dessert
- Red Velvet Cake with Cream Cheese Frosting: a layer cake for a celebration.
- Million Dollar Pound Cake: a sliceable dessert for the table.
- Holiday Peach Cobbler Two Ways: a warm fruit dessert after supper.
- Chessmen Banana Pudding: a make-ahead chilled dessert.
Save This Recipe
Save this recipe for the next time you want a hearty meatloaf dinner with a sweet-tangy glaze and slices that hold together.
Like ingredients and it’s home made
Thx
In the words of JJ Evans, DYNAMITE!!!!! This is a great meal for the week that leaves great leftovers to take to work!!!
This is the BEST meatloaf recipe I’ve ever made. It’s so moist and flavorful! Thank you!! 10/10!